A WOODLAND the size of about 140 rugby pitches is being planted in mid Wales.

The scheme, on part of the Cyffin estate at Llangadfan in the Upper Vyrnyw valley near Llanfair Caereinion, is the largest new planting scheme in Wales for over 20 years.

The woodland is being planted by Will Woodlands, a privately funded charity whose aim is tree planting for heritage enrichment and nature conservation.

The charity bought the 520 acre estate in 2008. Prior to the treets being planted the land had been used for livestock farming.

It’s the largest project to be approved so far under the Glastir Woodland Creation scheme, which is being supervised on the Welsh Government’s behalf by Forestry Commission Wales.

Apart from some habitat land in a Tir Gofal agreement, all 346 acres of the farmland will be planted with mostly native broadleaves including oak, ash, alder, field maple and cherry trees.

As well as contributing to the Welsh Government’s target of creating 100,000 hectares of new woodland over the next 20 years, the new woodland will provide a boost to wildlife and biodiversity by linking existing native woodland.

The woodlands will also create jobs, with a full time forester being employed to manage the Cyffin estate and more work required to produce, plant and maintain trees.

A spokesman for Will Woodlands said: “Substantial areas of land for new planting, which meets quality and environmental criteria, have been scarce y in North Wales in recent years.

“The opportunity to contribute to the environment and economy of North Wales by planting new, mainly native broadleaved woodland on this scale is one to cherish.”

Ken Smith, Forestry Commission Wales woodland officer in the Grants and Regulation team, added: “In addition to improving the biodiversity of the area, creating more woodland will contribute towards the emerging green economy in Wales by providing a sustainable building material, a renewable fuel and green jobs.”

The Glastir grant, which is part of the Welsh Government’s new sustainable land management scheme, has replaced Better Woodlands for Wales, which has now closed.